FORT BENNING, Ga. -- A Georgia soldier is being called a hero for something he did away from the battlefield.

Sgt. Corey Myers, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, saved the life of his son’s best friend by donating his kidney.

Jacob Myers and Nicholas Story are best friends, and so are their parents, who are based at Fort Benning.

At a routine checkup two years ago, the Storys learned that Nicholas had only one kidney and it wasn't working well.

“It was just devastating, it was very hard for me,” said his mother, Rebecca Story.

Over the next two years, Nicholas started feeling worse.

“I was feeling sick. I didn't have a lot of energy,” Nicolas said.

When Myers learned that his son's best friend needed a kidney transplant, he decided to see if he was a match. Myers didn't want his son to learn about loss at young age.

“Based on my job and three deployments overseas, you see a lot of stuff that I hope my children never have to see,” Myers said.

It was a decision Myers made with his wife, Julie.

“I'm so proud of him. He's done many things in his career, but this is definitely the most selfless thing he's ever done,” Julie said.

The surgery was successful, allowing Nicolas to live a normal life.

“I told him, ‘Thank you,’ and I feel a lot better than I did,” Nicolas said.

“He didn't know what it felt like to have a fully functioning body and I thank Corey for that,” said his mother.

Jacob thinks that what his dad did was pretty cool too.

“I think it was awesome. He was giving a kidney to my best friend,” Jacob said.

“Now I see him, he's back to his normal self, which is great to see. It’s all worth it,” Myers said.

Almost two months after surgery, Nicholas is doing great.

But unlike other transplants, kidney transplants usually don't last a lifetime. Nicholas may need another one in 15 to 20 years.